I may cobble together fuller thoughts some point soon, but here's the short version:

That episode was horrendous. "Drama" reeking of artifice at best, a candid, nauseating look at a bunch of overgrown children at worst. As someone who loathes "reality shows" in general, that was pretty much everything I dreaded Total Divas would be on the outset. Also, when the show was called "Total Divas" we now know the title refers not just to the women of WWE but to most of their boyfriends as well. These dudes are bigger drama queens than the girls. I'm looking at you, Jey Uso. And especially you, Sebastian.

Except for John Cena, sage voice of reason and maturity, and Bryan Danielson, man amongst men.

Nikki is an open book, but wow @WWECameron will let you know everything going on with her!! I should of said Girl Bye! -B #totaldivas

Why would you think they're even the same audiences and would have any significant correlation?

I'll spare you the Twitter embedding (this time), but the Bellas, Natalya and Maria Menounos are currently Tweeting back and forth setting up a Total Divas tag match at Summerslam.

It would be The Bellas vs. Maria Menounos and Natalya, except Nikki might not be cleared to wrestle due to her injury (is it her foot or ankle? Why do I think Justin would know?). The Bellas are teasing a new partner for Brie. (If it's Eva Marie, it'll be a glorious car wreck.)

The show is everything it sets out to accomplish. I don't know why you'd judge it by the criteria of whether it makes the IC title strong or something. I mean, we've all seen Queen of Jordan and Real Asian Prison Housewives of the Orange County White Collar Prison System, we know what these shows are supposed to be. I think it's kind of endearing to see WWE actually succeed at capturing a different genre for once, even if that genre is "vapid assembly line reality TV," though presumably that's because they completely farmed out production to an E! company to thoroughly do their thang.

Plus it's going to be good for the careers of Daniel Bryan and Natalya of all people. That's pretty hilarious.

Nikki was the star of this one. The cold open demonstrating how soccer made her dumb and the shot of her not packing anything were so good. She was a strong heel, though she did not achieve the earlier excellence of the truly gifted Ariane. Sadly Ariane made no attempt this week to turn thebomb.com and Girl Bye into her recurring catchphrases.

I burst out laughing the second Sebastian appeared on screen. Sebastian, Vincent, and Eva Marie's donut guy would be a great addition to the burgeoning six-man tag division.

Jimmy Uso's performance in the big argument scene was an Austin 3:16 moment for him.

Lifelong dream to move to Aberdeen, split-second decision to move to Phoenix due to moderate dog angst. Our storylines progress quickly. I wish they'd found a reason for Nikki to say "I'd rather be dead in California than alive in Arizona."

The guy who came up with the scenes where Bill Demott told Trinity she was being so indecisive in the ring (SYMBOLISM!!!) and where Nikki was boxing Brie was really shooting for that Enny nomination for directing. So complex. (The Ennys are the Emmys for Reality TV, Non-Amazing Race Category; they are named after Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica.)

I hope that Stern Sara Del Ray Background Shots become "a meme."

So excited for next week when Natalya tells Tyson he's fucking pathetic.

Originally posted by JohnIt would be The Bellas vs. Maria Menounos and Natalya, except Nikki might not be cleared to wrestle due to her injury (is it her foot or ankle? Why do I think Justin would know?). The Bellas are teasing a new partner for Brie. (If it's Eva Marie, it'll be a glorious car wreck.)

When I first read about this, I got so excited thinking Maria Kanellis was doing the Matt Hardy outsider angle with the Bellas. I really hope they work things out with Maria K, Sammartino style, and she's on season 2. They could even blur her face.

I think Nikki has a broken shin or something like that? In the season preview, we learned that it could be career-threatening, like JoJo's injury this week which medically-speaking is known as a "light to no concussion."

Not just Maria, but Kelly Kelly and Maryse are both in LA at the moment (according to their Twitters) and very likely seeing their old WWE crew for Summerslam week.

I dream of Total Divas: Invasion where Maria, K2, Maryse, maybe Eve, or any combination therein join the new season and flaunt their boyfriends and (future) husbands, all infuriating Nikki, who *still* can't see a diamond ring from her man John Cena.

PWInsider (pwinsider.com) says the Maria Menounos and Natalya vs. The Bellas (or Brie and a substitute) match is actually taking place at Summerslam Axxess. Weird, unless they're filming it for Extra or something.

Seems weird they're announcing an extended season and not the inevitable season 2. I guess it maybe means they're not just happy with it, but they feel they need it to help whatever they've got on the schedule for November - Total Divas not just a show that's keeping up the station average, but something they can build around.

(or maybe they just agreed for an episode fee for 'season 1' but had an option for more episodes and this was just the easiest way to handle it.)

Originally posted by John Orquiola PWInsider (pwinsider.com) says the Maria Menounos and Natalya vs. The Bellas (or Brie and a substitute) match is actually taking place at Summerslam Axxess. Weird, unless they're filming it for Extra or something.

Update: Nikki is not cleared.

I thought the tag match was replacing the Brie/Natalya singles match, but apparently not (wwe.com).

Originally posted by WWE.comHow will the SummerSlam Axxess match affect Natalya and Brie before their one-on-one bout at SummerSlam this Sunday?

Obviously, Summerslam is tonight and I'll be watching that so any Total Divas thread will be started late, late tonight or tomorrow. The drama of Natalya and Tyson Kidd's relationship plus fans calling Nikki fat on Twitter will just have to wait.